Rebel Shiromani Akali Dal Leaders Submit Formal Apology to Jathedar Akal Takhat

Issues, Mistakes, Apology, Pleading Guilty, Ready to Face Punishment.

The rebels’ press conference in Jalandhar on 25th June.

Written Apology to Akal Takhat

On July 1, 2024, a group of rebel leaders from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) presented a joint communication to the Jathedar Akal Takhat, the supreme temporal authority of the Sikhs, at the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar. They submitted a letter of apology to Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, admitting to several significant mistakes committed by the SAD-led government during its tenures from 2007 to 2017. This article examines the context and implications of this apology.

Key Rebel Leaders Involved

The rebel group comprised notable SAD figures including Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, the Patron of SAD, former MP Prem Singh Chandumajra, former SGPC President Jagir Kaur, and former ministers Surjit Singh Rakhra and Parminder Singh Dhindsa. These leaders, among others, publicly apologised for four critical mistakes made by their party during its rule.

The Four Major Mistakes

1. Revoking the Case Against Dera Sacha Sauda Chief

The first mistake involved revoking the case against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2007. Ram Rahim had imitated Guru Gobind Singh, a revered figure in Sikhism, causing widespread outrage within the Sikh community.

2. Failure to Punish Perpetrators of the Bargari Sacrilege

The second issue was the failure to punish those responsible for the Bargari sacrilege and the police officials involved in the Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan firing incidents. These events deeply hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community.

3. Controversial Appointments

The third mistake highlighted was the appointment of controversial police officers like Sumedh Singh Saini and Izhar Alam to crucial posts. Additionally, granting an MLA ticket to Alam’s wife and appointing her as Chief Parliamentary Secretary was criticised.

4. Injustice in Fake Encounter Cases

The fourth significant error was the failure to deliver justice to the victims of alleged fake encounter cases, further eroding public trust in the SAD leadership.

Blame on Sukhbir Singh Badal

In their letter, the rebel leaders placed the blame squarely on SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal, who served as the deputy chief minister and home minister of Punjab during the said period. They accused him of not addressing these issues despite numerous internal discussions and failing to appear before the Akal Takhat to offer a proper apology.

Rebel Leaders' Commitment

The rebel faction expressed their willingness to face any punishment according to Sikh tenets for being part of the government responsible for these mistakes. They acknowledged the disillusionment among a large section of Sikhs and Punjabis with SAD's leadership, which they believe contributed to the party's failures in religious and political spheres.

Context of the Apology

This apology comes amidst a significant crisis within SAD, marked by a divide between supporters of Sukhbir Badal and the rebel faction demanding his resignation. The crisis was exacerbated by SAD’s poor performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Prior to their visit to the Akal Takht, the rebel leaders divulged the Jhunda Committee Report, hitherto kept under the wraps, which recommended leadership changes and an apology following SAD's defeat in the 2022 assembly elections.

Current Political Scenario

The situation is further complicated by the nearing deadline for SGPC voter registration on July 31, 2024, and the imminent Gram Panchayat elections. The decisions regarding the four assembly by-elections, including Gidderbaha, Barnala, and Dera Baba Nanak expected in October, will also provide clear indications of the party's standing. The recent Jalandhar West by-election fiasco, where the official SAD nominee joined the rebels and was subsequently disowned by Sukhbir Badal, who then urged the SAD cadre to support the BSP, has already placed the party in an embarrassing position.

The SAD General Body: Supreme Authority and Ambiguities

a.) Election and Removal of the President

The constitution of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) outlines that the President of the party is elected by the General House, consisting of elected delegates from various district units across Punjab and other states. This General Body, capped at 500 members, includes both elected delegates and ex-officio members. The President's election is overseen by an observer appointed by the party's central leadership, with representation given to minority groups within the party. The president's term, in practice, appears to be indefinite, lasting until the election of a successor, although the Election Commission general guidelines seem to indicate a maximum tenure of 5 years.

b.) Authority of the Working Committee and Internal Struggles

The SAD Working Committee holds the authority to expel any member from the party, though it is unclear if this extends to the removal of the President. This ambiguity has led to a complex internal power struggle, as highlighted by the current rebellion of senior leaders against President Sukhbir Badal. The lack of a definitive or authoritative list of the General House members adds to the confusion, transforming the situation into more of a political circus rather than a well-organised party operation. In the event of a formal split within the SAD, the Election Commission will likely determine legitimacy based on which faction holds the majority support within the General House, further complicating the party's internal dynamics.

Summing Up

The public written apology submitted by the senior rebel SAD leaders before the Akal Takht represents a significant development in the ongoing power struggle within SAD. This move highlights the deep-seated issues and dissatisfaction within the party, reflecting the broader discontent among Sikh and Punjabi voters. How Jathedar Akal Takht and Sukhbir Badal, directly or through proxies, respond to this apology will significantly impact the future trajectory of the Shiromani Akali Dal. It seems to be the ideal time for healing, rapprochement, and reconciliation. However, with daggers drawn on both sides, there are few who believe this outcome is likely.

If you believe this article would interest someone you know, please feel free to share it anonymously (for us), using any platform that you prefer.